Egypt sends new aid convoy to Gaza amid famine declaration

Egypt on Sunday sent a new humanitarian convoy to Gaza, resuming aid deliveries after Israel closed the crossings over the weekend, state news agency MENA reported.

The convoy, part of the "Provision of Honor: From Egypt to Gaza" initiative run by the Egyptian Red Crescent, crossed from Rafah to Kerem Shalom for inspection by Israeli authorities before entering Gaza. It carried flour, legumes, bread, fuel, medicines and other essential supplies.

The delivery came days after the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a UN-backed body, confirmed famine in parts of Gaza and warned of catastrophic hunger and acute shortages of food, medicine and fuel.

On Friday, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged decisive international action to compel Israel to halt the spread of famine, after the IPC described the situation as a "man-made" disaster.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry said last week it has provided more than 70 percent of all aid delivered to Gaza since the war began, sending over 550,000 tonnes of supplies, though around 5,000 trucks remain stuck on the Egyptian side of Rafah.

Gaza's health authorities said on Sunday that 62,686 Palestinians have been killed and 157,951 injured during 22 months of Israeli military operations. They added that famine and malnutrition have caused 289 deaths, including 115 children.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.